Man found dead inside vehicle in Illinois River at Allen Park in Ottawa after fleeing police

A motorist died after speeding from police late Wednesday and driving into the Illinois River at Allen Park, Ottawa police said.

The driver’s identity was not immediately disclosed in a Thursday press release. Ottawa police said an autopsy will be Thursday and the investigation is continuing.

Ottawa police attempted to stop the vehicle at 11:57 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Norris Drive and Canal Street. As the officer turned on his emergency lights to stop the vehicle, it immediately fled, police said. The vehicle continued south on La Salle Street and over Veterans Memorial Bridge. The vehicle continued to Allen Park “where it drove over the bank and straight into the Illinois River.”

“The Ottawa Fire Department along with several rescue teams including dive teams were called immediately to assist,” Police Chief Brent Roalson said. “Upon locating the submerged vehicle, the driver was located by the rescue personnel still inside the vehicle.”

The La Salle County Coroner’s Office pronounced the driver dead at the scene. No one else was inside. The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office and the La Salle County Coroner’s Office are assisting in the investigation.